Blair has "no regrets" about backing Bush

David Byers
Times Online
May 17, 2007

Tony Blair declared today that he had no regrets in supporting President Bush in Iraq and Afghanistan and would do it all again, as he spoke about his close relationship with a man he called "unyielding, unflinching and determined".

In their last joint press conference in the White House rose garden before Mr Blair stands down as Prime Minister, he heaped praise on the President's policies since September 11, 2001.

Standing beside him in the sunshine, the US leader was equally gushing about Mr Blair, calling him a "respected man in the international arena" and a true friend, and even defended him from questions asking whether talking to Mr Blair, who will soon be leaving office, was a waste of time.

The two leaders appeared relaxed and Mr Bush seemed emotional during the press conference, which came after they held a private meeting discussing aid to Africa, the Iranian nuclear crisis, the violence in Gaza and climate change.

Speaking about his relationship with the President, Mr Blair - who is on a virtual farewell tour before leaving office on June 27 - said he was "proud" of the decisions taken after the World Trade Centre attacks on September 11, 2001.

"Thank you for the strength of your leadership over the past few years. You have been a strong leader at a time when the world needed strong leadership. You have been unyielding and unflinching and determined in the fight we face together and I thank you for that."

Mr Blair acknowledged that the alliance with the US was sometimes controversial, "at least in my country," but he added: "I believe that the relationship between the United States of America and Britain is a relationship that is in the interests of our two countries and in the interests of the peace and stability of the wider world. I’ve never doubted its importance.

"I’ve never doubted that it is based on principle, on shared values and on a shared purpose which is to make our world a better, more free and more just place in which people of all nations and all faiths can live.

"I would like to thank you for the strength of that relationship over the past few years."

He added that he had no regrets about his alliance with the President. “I have taken the view that Britain should stand shoulder to shoulder with America after September 11. I do not regret that, I’m proud of the relationship between our two countries," he said.

“Sometimes in politics there are issues where you can negotiate and compromise, but when it comes to fundamental questions of security you should do what is right, and I believe that is what he has done as well - and I would take the same position of alliance with America again. Yes, I would.”